Stretch wrap dispenser

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for a stretch wrap dispenser are disclosed. An example embodiment includes: a stem; a lower roll holder and stand-up base attached to the stem, beveled side up, with a stem stud, the lower roll holder and stand-up base being configured to enable the stem to stand upright; an upper roll holder attached to the stem, beveled side down, and configured to cause a stretch wrap material roll to fit snugly between the lower roll holder and stand-up base and the upper roll holder; a compression spring placed over the stem; a handle attached to the stem; and a tension control pin insertable through one of a set of holes in the stem to adjust for a desired level of tension in the compression spring.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates to the field of stretch wrapdispensers.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or thepatent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Officepatent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever. The following notice applies to the disclosure providedherein and to the drawings that form a part of this document: Copyright2016-2017, Marc Goldman; All Rights Reserved.

BACKGROUND

Stretch film or wrap is generally known in the industry as a materialthat can be used to securely wrap a collection of objects together usingthe stretch material's resiliency and dinginess. Stretch wrap istypically understood to be a polyethylene stretch film that is generallydispensed from a roll for use in a variety of applications. Forinstance, stretch wrap is held against a collection of objects anddispensed and stretched around the collection of objects and wrappedover itself up to several times to cover and hold together thecollection of objects. In the shipping industry, for example, acollection of materials may be placed on a pallet to secure sucharticles together during the shipping process. A collection of boxesplaced on a pallet can be shipped as a single cohesive unit when boundtogether through wrapping with stretch wrap.

Typically, during application, a tension is applied to the stretch filmas it is applied to the objects being wrapped. This tension stretchesthe film to facilitate a secure binding of the wrapped objects together.Most known devices work by rotating the film around a spindle core whiletension is applied to the core of the stretch film to create drag sothat when the stretch film unrolls, it is stretched tight around thepackage. However, conventional devices are often configured to requirethe user to bend over or reach up while applying the stretch film aroundthe package. This can result in user fatigue or even injury whenapplying stretch film to packages at a level below the waist of the useror above the chest of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in thefigures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the stretch wrap dispenser ofan example embodiment as shown with different handle lengths;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the components of the stretch wrapdispenser of an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the stem of the stretch wrap dispenserof an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side detail view of an end of the handle with anattached tension control pin and lanyard of an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the roller portion of theassembled stretch wrap dispenser of an example embodiment showing thehandle, the tension control pin and lanyard, the compression spring, theupper roll holder, and a roll of stretch wrap material;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the lower roll holder andstand-up base of an example embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of the lower roll holder and stand-upbase of an example embodiment showing the recessed stem stud and stemstud spacer;

FIG. 8 illustrates usage of an example embodiment by a user showing theapplication of stretch wrap to a package at various levels includinglevels below the waist and above the chest of the user; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram representing a sequence of operationsperformed in a method according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown,by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the disclosedsubject matter can be practiced. It is understood that other embodimentsmay be utilized and structural changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

According to various example embodiments of the disclosed subject matteras described herein, there is disclosed, illustrated, and claimed anapparatus and method for a stretch wrap dispenser. The exampleembodiments disclosed herein provide an apparatus, system, and methodimplemented as a stretch wrap dispenser, which can be used in a varietyof applications including applying stretch wrap material from a roll onand around a variety of types and sizes of packages or freight.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 8, an example embodiment of the stretchwrap dispenser 100 is illustrated. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective viewof the stretch wrap dispenser of an example embodiment as shown withdifferent handle lengths. The stretch wrap dispenser 100 can beconfigured with a handle of varying lengths to enable a user to applythe stretch wrap material to a variety of different sizes, heights, andshapes of packages. The stretch wrap dispensers 100 shown in FIG. 1 withlonger handles can be used at ground level or high over the head of auser without bending, stooping, or reaching. As described in more detailbelow, the stretch wrap dispensers 100 of example embodiments provide adesign alternative for applying stretch wrap, wherein the stretch wrapdispenser 100 is lighter, quicker, and less physically demanding to usethan a parallel handle dispenser. Moreover, the stretch wrap dispenser100 allows the user to apply the stretch wrap in a natural, uprightmanner, thereby reducing fatigue and injuries. The stretch wrapdispenser 100 is configured to allow a user to wrap the bottom, middle,and top of a pallet of freight in a natural, forward facing, uprightmanner. As described in more detail below, the stretch wrap dispenser100 is configured with a stand-up base, which allows the stretch wrapdispenser 100 to be set down anywhere when not in use and remainupright. The stand-up base offers a lower profile so the stretch wrapdispenser 100 can wrap less than on inch from the floor, securingfreight more securely to a pallet. Additionally, the stand-up baseprovides longer wear protection and finer tension control. The stand-upbase also protects the stretch wrap material from scratches, nicks, andcuts; because the stretch wrap material doesn't touch the ground. Thestretch wrap dispenser 100 of the example embodiments are built withsuper strong, lightweight aluminum to stand up to heavy use. The stretchwrap dispensers 100 of the example embodiments shown in FIG. 1 can beconfigured with 60″, 52″, or 39″ handles that eliminate all bending whenwrapping the bottom of a pallet and eliminate reaching when wrapping thetop of tall pallets. Without bending and reaching, more energy iscommitted to a tighter wrap, top to bottom. The top of a freight bundlecan be wrapped without the user having to reach above his/her head. Theexample embodiments also eliminate the risk involved with securingfreight to a pallet with the over-under method of wrapping elevatedpallets. The example embodiments are designed for use with 12″, 15″,16″, 17″, and 18″ rolls of stretch wrap material with a 3″ core. It willbe apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of thedisclosure herein that handles of different lengths and stretch wraprolls of different dimensions can be equivalently accommodated in thevarious disclosed example embodiments, which are described in moredetail below.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the components of the stretch wrapdispenser 100 of an example embodiment. As shown, a stem 110 is providedas a main structural element of the stretch wrap dispenser 100. FIG. 3illustrates a side view of the stem of the stretch wrap dispenser 100 ofan example embodiment. The stem 110 can be fabricated from aluminum orother rigid material. In the example embodiment, the stem 110 can beperforated with a plurality of tension adjustment holes 112.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the stem 110 is configured to slide into anopening in an end of a handle 115. The handle 115 can be configured witha foam grip and handle plug 160 as shown. The handle 115 can also beperforated with a plurality of tension adjustment holes 117. The handle115 of an example embodiment can also provide a surface onto whichproduct labeling or advertising can be placed. The end 119 of the handle115 is configured with a surface to enable compression of a compressionspring 130 when the stretch wrap dispenser 100 is assembled as describedin more detail below. FIG. 4 illustrates a side detail view of an end ofthe handle 115 with an attached tension control pin 135 and lanyard 137of an example embodiment. The tension control pin 135 can be insertedinto any of the holes 117 of the handle 115 and through any of thealigned holes 112 of the stem 110 to adjust the tension of compressionspring 130. The compression spring 130 can be placed over an end of thestem 110 as the stem 110 is inserted into the opening in the end of thehandle 115. The ends 119 of handle 115 and a surface of an upper rollholder 140 attached to the stem 110 serve to capture the compressionspring 130 with a desired level of compression as adjusted with thetension control pin 135.

Referring still to FIG. 2, an upper roll holder 140 and a lower rollholder and stand-up base 145 are shown attached concentrically to thestem 110. The upper roll holder 140 and the lower roll holder andstand-up base 145 are configured with a round projecting or beveledsurface configured to fit within the inner void of a roll of stretchwrap material 150 shown in FIG. 5. The upper roll holder 140 and thelower roll holder and stand-up base 145 serve to retain the roll ofstretch wrap material 150 therebetween. The action of the compressionspring 130 serves to force the upper roll holder 140 against an end ofthe roll of stretch wrap material 150 with a variable and selectablelevel of pressure, thereby enabling the user to configure the level offorce needed to pull the stretch wrap material from the roll 150. Asdescribed above, the tension control pin 135 as inserted into any of theholes 117 and 112 can be used to adjust the tension of compressionspring 130 and the force the upper roll holder 140 applies against anend of the roll of stretch wrap material 150. FIG. 5 illustrates aperspective view of the roller portion of the assembled stretch wrapdispenser 100 of an example embodiment showing the handle 115, thetension control pin 135 and lanyard 137, the compression spring 130, theupper roll holder 140, and a roll of stretch wrap material 150.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the lower roll holder andstand-up base 145 of an example embodiment. The stretch wrap dispenser100 of an example embodiment is configured with the lower roll holderand stand-up base 145 as shown, which allows the stretch wrap dispenser100 to be set down anywhere when not in use and remain upright. As aresult, the stand-up base also protects the stretch wrap material 150from scratches, nicks, and cuts; because the stretch wrap material 150doesn't touch the ground. Additionally, the lower roll holder andstand-up base 145 offers a lower profile so the stretch wrap dispenser100 can wrap less than an inch from the floor, securing freight moresecurely to a pallet. Thus, the stand-up base provides longer wearprotection and finer tension control.

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of the lower roll holder and stand-upbase 145 of an example embodiment showing the stem stud 147 and stemstud spacer. The stem stud 147 and stem stud spacer can be inserted intoan end of the stem 110 to attach the lower roll holder and stand-up base145 to the lower end of the stem 110. In the example embodiment asshown, the stem stud 147 and stem stud spacer can be recessed into thelower surface of the lower roll holder and stand-up base 145 so thelower roll holder and stand-up base 145 can enable the stretch wrapdispenser 100 to stand upright.

In an example embodiment, a method for assembling the stretch wrapdispenser 100 includes among the following operations: inserting thelower roll holder and stand-up base 145 over the stem 110, beveled sideup and rotating the lower roll holder and stand-up base 145 until itlocks in place with the stem stud 147; inserting a stretch wrap materialroll 150 over the stem 110; inserting the upper roll holder 140 over thestem 110, beveled side down and causing the stretch wrap material roll150 to fit snugly between the lower roll holder and stand-up base 145and the upper roll holder 140; placing the compression spring 130 overthe stem 110; inserting a handle 115 through an open loop of the tensioncontrol pin lanyard 137 to which the tension control pin 135 isattached; sliding the handle 115 over the stem 110; and adjusting to adesired level of tension by compressing the compression spring 130 andinserting the tension control pin 135 through one of a set of holes 112in the stem 110.

FIG. 8 illustrates usage of the stretch wrap dispenser 100 of an exampleembodiment by a user showing the application of stretch wrap material toa package or freight pallet at various levels including levels below thewaist and above the chest of the user. As shown, the stretch wrapdispenser 100 can be used with the handle 115 up or down. The tensioncontrol pin 135 can be used to adjust the tension of compression spring130 and the force needed to pull the stretch wrap material from the roll150. Note that the application of stretch wrap material to the packageor freight pallet does not require the user to bend, stoop, or reach,which promotes less user fatigue and less chance for user injury.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram representing a sequence of operationsperformed in a method according to an example embodiment. In accordancewith the example method 1000, the method comprises: inserting a lowerroll holder and stand-up base over a stem, beveled side up and rotatingthe lower roll holder and stand-up base until it locks in place with astem stud (operation 1010); inserting a stretch wrap material roll overthe stem (operation 1020); inserting an upper roll holder over the stem,beveled side down and causing the stretch wrap material roll to fitsnugly between the lower roll holder and stand-up base and the upperroll holder (operation 1030); placing a compression spring over the stem(operation 1040); inserting the handle through the open loop of atension control pin lanyard to which a tension control pin is attached(operation 1050); sliding the handle over the stem (operation 1060); andadjusting to a desired level of tension by compressing the compressionspring and inserting the tension control pin through one of a set ofholes in the stem (operation 1070).

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of components and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the descriptionprovided herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived, suchthat structural and logical substitutions and changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of this disclosure. The figures hereinare merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The description herein may include terms, such as “up”, “down”, “upper”,“lower”, “first”, “second”, etc. that are used for descriptive purposesonly and are not to be construed as limiting. The elements, materials,geometries, dimensions, and sequence of operations may all be varied tosuit particular applications. Parts of some embodiments may be includedin, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. While the foregoingexamples of dimensions and ranges are considered typical, the variousembodiments are not limited to such dimensions or ranges.

The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature and gist of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is submittedwith the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limitthe scope or meaning of the claims.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are groupedtogether in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining thedisclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments have more featuresthan are expressly recited in each claim. Thus, the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separate embodiment.

As described herein, an apparatus and method for a stretch wrapdispenser are disclosed. Although the disclosed subject matter has beendescribed with reference to several example embodiments, it may beunderstood that the words that have been used are words of descriptionand illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be madewithin the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and asamended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosedsubject matter in all its aspects. Although the disclosed subject matterhas been described with reference to particular means, materials, andembodiments, the disclosed subject matter is not intended to be limitedto the particulars disclosed; rather, the subject matter extends to allfunctionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are withinthe scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stretch wrap dispenser comprising: a stem; alower roll holder and stand-up base attached to the stem, beveled sideup, with a stem stud, the lower roll holder and stand-up base beingconfigured to enable the stem to stand upright; an upper roll holderattached to the stem, beveled side down, and configured to cause astretch wrap material roll to fit snugly between the lower roll holderand stand-up base and the upper roll holder; a compression spring placedover the stem; a handle attached to the stem; and a tension control pininsertable through one of a set of holes in the stem to adjust for adesired level of tension in the compression spring.
 2. The stretch wrapdispenser of claim 1 including a lanyard attached to the tension controlpin.
 3. The stretch wrap dispenser of claim 1 wherein the handle is 60″,52″, or 39″ long.
 4. The stretch wrap dispenser of claim 1 wherein thestem and the handle are fabricated from aluminum.
 5. The stretch wrapdispenser of claim 1 wherein the handle includes holes through which thetension control pin can be inserted.
 6. A method comprising: inserting alower roll holder and stand-up base over a stem, beveled side up androtating the lower roll holder and stand-up base until it locks in placewith a stem stud, the lower roll holder and stand-up base beingconfigured to enable the stem to stand upright; inserting a stretch wrapmaterial roll over the stem; inserting an upper roll holder over thestem, beveled side down and causing the stretch wrap material roll tofit snugly between the lower roll holder and stand-up base and the upperroll holder; placing a compression spring over the stem; inserting ahandle through the open loop of a tension control pin lanyard to which atension control pin is attached; sliding the handle over the stem; andadjusting to a desired level of tension by compressing the compressionspring and inserting the tension control pin through one of a set ofholes in the stem.
 7. The method of claim 6 including attaching alanyard to the tension control pin.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein thehandle is 60″, 52″, or 39″ long.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein thestem and the handle are fabricated from aluminum.
 10. The method ofclaim 6 wherein the handle includes holes through which the tensioncontrol pin can be inserted.